Hopkins said: “We have applied for, and been granted, a warrant of arrest for Hashem Abedi. The warrant was issued by a Manchester court to produce Hashem Abedi at Westminster Magistrates Court, which is standard procedure in terrorism and extradition cases.

“It is because of this that it is really difficult to provide any further detail. Firstly, we must respect the Libyan legal process and we are very grateful to them for considering our request.

“Secondly, it is vital that the court process is respected in this country and especially the right to a fair trial. It is because of this that we cannot comment on any specific detail of the case. When we can say more, we will of course do so.”

PASalman Abedi.

Last month it was revealed both brothers were rescued from the civil war in Libya by the Royal Navy three years before the bombing.

It is understood their names were on a list of stranded citizens handed to the crew in charge of the evacuation.

The vessel took them to Malta, where they caught a flight back to the UK.